Wednesday, 31 December 2008

John Macdonald, Mac, is the acting Chief of Police in the small town of Lakehaven. Suffering from amnesia, he and his good friend Officer Hines are on loan to the town. When the only crime to happen in the town for ten years happens on his watch, Mac decides to investigate this one himself, not only is that strange in itself, but he ends up meeting the shop owner, who turns out to be an unforgettable woman - Mac knows right off, he is in trouble.

Carolyn Blake, widow, single mother and a business owner is shattered when her business is broken into. Living in a town not known for its crime level, does not prepare her for the utter dread she feels at the invasion of her privacy but also the unclean feeling that comes along with it. When an officer she is unfamiliar with turns up to investigate, she takes this in stride – however a second officer turns up, this one makes her feel things she's not felt in a long time, if ever – she begins to wonder what is happening in the small town of Lakehaven.

Mac, not being able to remember what happened on the night he was shot, is not forgotten by the men whom he is in hiding from. With Carolyn now a factor in his life, will he remember everything in order to get the chance to live now that’s he found the one woman who makes it all worthwhile?

Lois Carroll has reignited my love of the romantic suspense genre, JUST A MEMORY is brilliant. Mac and Carolyn are both mature people who have lived, loved and experienced the good and the bad of life. Mac, an experienced officer with an elite force, is more or less hiding out in Lakehaven, along with his good friend. However, he is bored, frustrated and wants to get back to what he knows best – his job – that is until he meets Carolyn.

Carolyn has invested all her time and energies into making a decent life for her daughter and herself. Comfortable but complacent in the town she’s grown up in, she’s in shock at having her business broken into – but she mortified to find herself not only attracted to one of the officers that has come to investigate, but also questioning her marriage.

Fans of Lois Carroll will enjoy JUST A MEMORY with its fast paced plot, exciting characters and the few funny moments it will have you laughing out loud. A much enjoyed read.

Over a beer Stacy James has the thought that the young pup about to get his comeuppance has no idea that sometimes you just have to walk away. Stacy gets up and miraculously finds himself in the mix of the rumble with fists flying.

Making a run from the scene of the fight, Stacy James, business man and generally a wary guy, finds himself not only carting Levi – the young pup around town but sharing more than Just their love for cars at the end of the day.

Levi Wright, an ace mechanic, is young, wild and has the confidence that only comes with youth. After meeting Stacy and without knowing anything about him – he makes a move. Levi has his own demons to face – however is the attraction for Stacy strong enough for him to take a chance and face up to his demons?

When the dust settles both men realize that they have different expectations from their night of passion. One wants to know how far the attraction will take them while the other just wants to have a good time. Can these men who are both At different phase of their lives compromise in order to have it all? Men full of ugly secrets are always an excellent draw to any book for me, and KC Kendrick’s men have whoppers of secrets that have shaped their lives to the types of men they are at the exact moment that they meet each other.

Stacy at forty is older and wiser. He uses his wealth of experience to not only be the sane one of the two, but also the one with the patience and humility to accept things as they are and know that there is always two side to a story and they are not always what they seem.

Levi, young and hot tempered, handles the unknown with anger and his fists if pushed. He has more confidence and allure to impress anyone who may notice him He immediately goes after Stacy with all the impulsiveness of the young – he leaves out the most important information which ultimately makes all the difference to Stacy being with him.

KC Kendricks has given us a sweet read about men wanting more, but are having to face up to their own personal demons before they can move on. SHINING VICTORY is the third book in the VICTORY series and they are now available in one print novel.

Charlie and Noah have been friends for years, while not exactly running with the same crowd; they were friends none the less. When Charlie's parents died, Noah became Charlie’s steadfast friend as he more or less closeted himself away from everyone.

Noah resorts to having to invent a fake identity to get through to Charlie because he's still keeping Noah at arm's length even after all this time. When their friendship moves into the bedroom, Noah is elated and thinks this is the beginning of something special and Charlie will open up to him. This doesn’t go as Noah hoped and Charlie is now more caught up in talking to his online friend - Sly Cat.

Charlie tells Noah's online personality about Noah and how he feels about him – Noah is crushed and makes the decision to not only protect his heart but to also separate himself from Charlie. Charlie quickly realizes something is wrong when Noah is no longer around as he has always been. He fines that he has made an error in judgment in how he's treated Noah - and wants Noah back. However now that Noah has moved on with his life - will Charlie have a chance to make things right?

PULLING AWAY delves into the boundaries of friendship and all the issues that surround it. Noah, a neighbour and friend of Charlie, has accepted and put up with a lot from him over the years – yet in spite of all this he’s still able to have strong feelings for Charlie.

Charlie on the other had, feels that life has been unfair to only him, and does not see the kindness of other and that they only want to help him. Noah has always been around and there for him but when his friend is no longer there he learns quickly how much Noah meant to him. PULLING AWAY is a touching story. The author tells this tale in a way that brings out the weaknesses and strengths in both men, which is pleasing to see. Readers will enjoy this read and admire Shawn Lane’s wonderful story.

Tuesday, 30 December 2008

Knowing since she was a child, who her mate was, Ming held fast to her belief that they would be together one day. When she loses touch with her mate, she goes on having faith that they would still have the chance to be together.

Years later a new law is being enforced on all the unmated werewolves. With a little magic and the faith that has carried her over the years her mate Jason is with her – but not under the circumstances that she would have liked.

Caught up in a magical realm Jason comes face to face with the woman from his dream, only now they are in great danger of never having the chance to be together in reality. He’s being hunted by the same man who has forced Ming and all the other unmated female werewolves to live in fear of the next full moon.

There is one way to help Ming, but Jason has to look into his heart and find the words that Ming needs to hear, and he needs to do this before the end of the full moon cycle.

MOONLIT DREAM is a fast paced read, which crosses the barrier of reality in order for two mates to be together. Ming has been creative in trying to stay one step ahead of the new law enforced on her pack – however the powers that be has caught up with her and she only has a short time to make Jason realize that they are meant to be together.

This is an enjoyable story that deals with all the dysfunctional dynamics that makes up a werewolves pack. Ms. Love, with her own unique style, has given us an end result that readers will most definitely be pleased with.

When Ben Searcy’s best friend bid and won him a lunch date with his favourite television personality – Mitch DeSantis, star of the Case Files, a hugely popular detective program – he accepts with good grace, as over the years he’s learnt to give in to Becca than face any other choice.

Meeting Mitch was not what Ben expected and within an hour of meeting the man he was leaving the restaurant with a reporter dodging his heels. Making his way back to face the interrogation by his best friend did not phase him as much as how disappointed he was that after worrying about how to talk to his favourite star he turns out to be a mega bore.

Mitch is not having a good day and having to sit across from a contest winner, which he didn’t want to enter in the first place, is not making him feel any better. Taking his crappy day out on Ben only has Ben walking out of the restaurant in record time. Knowing he has to apologize, Mitch approaches Ben cap in hand, but will Ben accept his apology or will Mitch end up being another pretty face to look at but not worth knowing in Ben’s book?

Kate Steele has treated us to a sweet romp with TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. In usual Steele style, these are men with some issues or emotional baggage in their past as is the case with Mitch. Being a jerk is definitely not his style and he hastens to make it right with Ben. Ben has gone through his own rough patch but after much soul searching and the shoulder of a best friend to cry on, he’s at a comfortable place. However feeling let down after the lunch date with Mitch he wonders if Mitch is worth it when he tries to apologize.

The plot is an easy one to follow, and fans of Ms. Steele will fall utterly in love with her two protagonists. TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER is a worthy addition to any ebook library.

Waking up in the hospital was the last thing quarterback Cache Garnett expected when he won the football championship - over not only his greatest rival but also his lover of nearly a decade, Eric Patton.

Both men grew up together and have been rivals their entire lives. Along with the rivalry there has always been a sexual tension which they acted on nearly a decade earlier – but in a sport that is not forgiving to anything or anyone outside of the norm, they have kept their union a secret.

With it all hanging out for the world to speculate about courtesy of a newspaper headline – both men have to decide if they have anything worth going the distance for or if their time together is about to come to an end.

Pepper Espinoza knows how to weave a tale. Cache and Eric are football players for opposing teams and while they are the best of friends as well as opponents they are also in a secret relationship that has never had a chance to see the light of day.

When they are forced to either acknowledge or deny the relationship that they have kept a secret for so long they are faced with the possibility that they may end up losing each other after all this time.

QUARTERBACK SNEAK is a good read for fans of Ms. Espinoza, you’ll definitely fall for these two men.

Monday, 29 December 2008

This week guest blogger is a fellow blogger who's blog i have been following for some time now. I am constantly amazed at the amount of pies she has her fingers in on the net. She actively participates along with other bloggers in keeping the blogs Readers of Romance Challenge , The Voice of Romance and AAR's Top 100 up and running. We also happen to be apart of the wonderful free organisation called Romance Writers United.

With All that happening, she still has time as a full time student to run her own blog Talk About My Favourite Author, which is a blog that is always great at finding a good read to pick up on your nest visit to the bookstore, or to get more info about some of our favourite authors..

Please join me in welcoming Phoebe Jordan as our Guest Blogger today.

What's the best thing about the industry for you this year?

I have been reading romance novels since I started High School when I was 14 years old in 2003 but I haven’t starting blogging about the romance books I’ve read until January 2008. I also didn’t really get into reviewing books until this summer after my first semester of college when I had time to read more and get into the whole blogging book reviews industry that I have now come to be a member of. I’ve met so many wonderful book review bloggers, e-published and print published authors and other romance readers through these wonderful reading and writing communities that I’ve only discovered this summer.

I guess the best thing about the book review blogging industry that has happened for me this year is that it has helped me broaden my horizons into a new field of wonderfully exciting community of people who read for pleasure and review what they read for others to decide if they will or won’t read the same books. It has also helped me get to review ARC’s of books by bestselling or newly published authors who have become real people to me instead of icons that come up with wonderful romance novels.

Most looked forwarded book for this year and was it worth it.

The most looked forwarded book for this year was Nora Roberts’s Tribute and it was definitely worth it. I love Nora Roberts so much since she was the one who introduced me to the lovely and wonderful world of romance novels and she is my inspiration when I first realized that I wanted to become a romance writer. Tribute by Nora Roberts is a very compelling story that I couldn’t put down for very long and it was totally worth it when I spent $26 for it because it came out as a hardcover this year and in six months it comes out in mass market paperback.

The books that stand out for you this year.

There were a lot of books that stood out for me this year and most of them are series books by authors that I’ve only recently discovered. The first four books that really got to me would be Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga starting with Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and ending with Breaking Dawn. I actually didn’t really consider reading this series until I found out about the movie for the first book Twilight was coming out this year. I love vampires and so it also got my interest with that aspect of the story especially since it’s about teenagers, which I was and still am until next year when I turn 20 years old. I’m not much for Young Adult fiction even though it is for people my age so it happy I am that this movie got me to even consider reading this wonderful series.

Even though I enjoyed reading the series I have not turned into one of those raging fan girls that have to have everything twilight and lives and breath the twilight series every day and with obsession of all the characters such as Bella Swan, Edward Cullen, Jacob Black, Alice Cullen and Jasper Hale, in the series. One thing that really was something I wish could have been done with this series is that I wish it hadn’t been written in the first person because it really limited readers look at the series especially since I’m not that fond of Bella very much.

Now for the second series that really stood out to me would be the writing duo P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin Cast’s House of Night series which consist of four books but has a fifth novel coming out next year in March 2009. The novels Marked, Betrayed, Chosen and Untamed are all about a vampyre finishing school which is similar to a normal high school except that it is only students are vampyre fledglings and the adult

vampyre’s who teach them about what it will be like to become a full adult vampyre. The main character Zoey Redbird is one cool sixteen year old girl and made the book so much more interesting even though it was in the first person. This series though in first person like the Twilight series was better written in my opinion that it kept me addicted to the characters that I’m anxiously waiting for more. That is something that the last book in the twilight series didn’t do for me.

Knowing that you have a following—can you give a sneak peak at some of the things you plan for the New Year.

Well I’m happy I have a following of loyal readers and I hope that it will grow larger in 2009 because it has been a pleasure so far. As for what I plan for the New Year for my blog I haven’t written anything in stone yet because like I’ve said I’ve only recently started getting to know people in the book review blogging community. I can say that I have a couple of interesting interviews with a couple of new authors coming in the first couple of months of 2009 and an ARC review that I’ve been looking forward to by a new author breaking into the historical romance world.

I hope to have more author interviews, guest blogs and book reviews for 2009 as well as maybe branching out to maybe podcasting some of my reviews or interviews. Podcasting has only been recently available to me since I bought my first iPod Touch and it has really fascinated me that I want to give it a try but haven’t got the equipment for it right now. I know an author who podcasts her interviews with other authors and I want to do that in the future for my blog so readers can enjoy listen to this wonderful interviews and reviews.

So that is your sneak peek into some of the things that I plan to do on the blog and I don’t know for sure if the podcasting will be an absolute thing for the blog but it may be a possibility that should be looked forward to in 2009. I may have to search for someone who knows more about podcasting to help me for free so I can get started but like I said nothing I’ve planned is set in stone.

Sunday, 28 December 2008

Ryland is running out of ideas of how to show his mate that he is ready to be claimed. Deciding to take the bull by the horns, he tells Gregory, the man who saved him years earlier and has been there for him through thick and thin – that he is ready to be claimed. This, however, evolves into a situation that has far reaching consequences.

Gregory is out of his mind with lust for his little mate, but wants to wait until he is ready. Knowing that he cannot have what he wants, he does the next best thing. This results in him having to face up to what was directly in front of him and laying claim to his mate.

After a night of passion, they find out that all is not perfect with their joining –as not only is Ryland unable to talk to Gregory, but they find out that he is a Tri-Omega and if his second mate is not found soon – Gregory may not have a mate at all.

Getting away from the pack for some much needed R&R seems to be the most logical thing to do – allowing Ryland and Gregory to spend some quality time together. However, they get more than they bargained for as not only does Ryland find his second mate, but his mate’s wolf is in no mood to share.

After reading a wonderful first book in a series, it is always with a sense of trepidation that I read the second without comparing it to the first. Stormy Glenn has done what few authors have been able to do. She has given us a better book with FORBIDDEN DESIRES, the second book in The TRI-OMEGA series.

This book is a character driven book, it delves into the dynamics of two men who have waited what feels like an eternity to be together, only to find out that in their eagerness to be together they have set in motion a chain reaction that is unstoppable without a third to complete their partnership. Their third is not open to sharing and finds great difficulty in accepting that he is a part of an already established union.

Stormy Glenn has given us a plot, which will have readers putting The Tri-Omega series in their diaries for future release. Sex scenes are definitely not vanilla – they are hot, aggressive and in some case very much unexpected. I absolutely love this book and look forward to seeing where Ms. Glenn goes with this series.

If you’re interested in the rest of the titles of the TRI-OMEGA series here’s a list of them in order:

When Leyland Summer’s car breaks down on a lonely country road – he had no idea that one of his life long fantasies would come through before night falls. When a lone rider – Jake, who looks like a dream on horse back offers him the ride of his life, he quickly accepts.

Leyland, being a tri-omega, knows he needs to mate with two wolves. Jake being the alpha male that he is, is automatically possessive of what he considers his own – and Leyland is definitely his. However he has had to make a difficult choice in order to have Leyland – a decision he has found hard to live with.

When Leyland meets Jake’s second in command - Lucas, he knows immediately that he is his second mate; what he’s not prepared for is the knowledge that Jake and Lucas are already in love - with each other -where does that leaves him?

A relationship of two can be tricky at the best of time and three is definitely no laughing matter. Ms. Glenn has created a dynamic party of three men that want to please each other, need to please each other – but pride, possessiveness and jealousy all play a part in making the road to the perfect relationship a rocky one.

All three men are lovely and have their own individual quirk that not only endears them to your heart but also have you enjoying the tension filled scenes that the men have to go through in order to find the best compromise that work for them.

I absolutely enjoyed SECRET DESIRES and am so looking forward to the rest of Jake’s little pack having their own story - soon.

Saturday, 27 December 2008

A few weeks ago i had the pleasure of contacting Ms. Anderson after reviewing GIVING THANKS, ever since that initial email, my contact with her has been a litany of either a really great correspondence or a whooper of an error. To be honest it was only one whooper, and not too bad - I actually congratulated her on a EPPIE nomination, her book was never even nominated - I think both of us rolled over laughing after realizing the mistake.

Anyhooooo in honour of the great sport that she is - I have dedicated all of today's post to Ms. Anderson's work.

Please join me and share in the wonderful works that this author has produced.

Her Website Realms of The Raven is another cool site to visit - personally i love the name, and keep hoping over to see how her work in progress is going - there's a few there that i am eagerly awaiting there release. Here's the link.

Needing some time to herself after a near tragic accident, Kayleigh Brennan is left with both emotional and physical scars. She retreats to a beautiful rented house on the edge of a wooded forest which calls to her in more ways than one.

Kayleigh a believer and practicing Wiccan priestess ventures into the woods and feels the immediate pull of the forest and the holly trees in a sacred area in the middle of the forest.

Not only is the area sacred but Ilex the Holly King and lives in the largest of the holly trees and he's also feeling the pull of Kayleigh's essence in the woods.

I am always amazed at authors that are able to condense a wealth of emotion in a relatively few short pages. At just a little over fifty pages, Ms. Anderson takes you on an intensely emotional journey, with tragedy overcome, lots of soul searching and the joining of two souls. GIFT OF THE HOLLY KING is a fantastic read. Originally released as apart of the BABES IN TOYLAND II – anthology, this has since been re-release earlier this month as a stand alone novel and it does so deserve to stand on it's own.

Kaleigh and Ilex( a beautiful name if ever there was one) are caught in the first blush of attraction. With little time left for Ilex to remain awake due to the winter solstice being upon him and with Kayleigh having just met him – they are in a race against time to spend time together.

With faith come great possibilities and when both their deepest yearning is presented to them after everything seems to have been lost – they can see only the joy of life in front of them.

GIFT OF THE HOLLY KING is a book with Ms, Anderson easy style of writing, and a plot that suck you in and have you rooting for these two sweet souls to be together. One of, if not her best book to date.

After two years of living together, Troy had the whole Thanksgiving celebration weekend down to an art. Work over time to get the two days off –spend the first day with his lover Derek's family and the next day is just for them – and of course to remember to act like they were only friend in front of the family. However when he arrived home and saw Derek already at home, he knew in his gut that this Thanksgiving was not going to go as planned.

Derek has long lived his life to please his family – his father to be exact. When he just had enough of the bad mouth and expectations from his father, he confirms that Troy is not his roommate but his lover. Things get worse than he had expected and he is left to make the best of the celebration with the man he love.

GIVING THANKS is all that you would imagine the Thanksgiving holidays should be about. A book full of; secrets, family expectation, love and surprises along with a whole lot of forgiveness.

Derek and Troy are perfect for each other, there is no pretence about the love that they feel for each other and the respect that they have for their family. In wanting to have it all, family, friends and each other they make decisions based on assumptions and almost lose sight of things that are important to them.

The book has not only that hold your breath moment when you think, 'please let it work out' but also some hilarious moment where you just have to say thank God for the in-laws. I really enjoy Ms. Anderson's GIVING THANKS.

Two people hiding their other life's from each other - can never lead to anything good; which is exactly what happens with Gayle Osborne an ambitious and career driven patent law attorney and Tyler Monroe owner of the company that she works for. With erotic novels her only outlet for the naughty fantasies she can't express, she is invited to join a blog to express her opinion - as snarky as they may be, about not only the quality of erotic books on the market – but some of the more ridiculous things - like the names some of the authors uses.

Not only is the least of her worries is about the lose of respectability in her career if anyone finds out that she not only reads erotic romance, but that she is also part of the Hit & Misses Review blog – but also the fact that she is and has always had the hots for her boss Tyler, and she is having more and more of a difficult time hiding the way her temperature soars when he only has to enter a room.

When a litany of events happens, Gayle had a decision to make in regards to her future, about not only the man she's come to love but also with herself about how much to Tyler about her secret life – she however is in for a surprise, and it's nothing but a surprise.

A part of the PLAIN BROWN WRAPPER series:TORT AND RETORT is a feel good read that all readers will enjoy. Gayle a passionate woman has worked hard in her chosen career and enjoys the fact albeit secretly that she likes erotic stories. She however would like to get erotic with Tyler, her boss; who she fines everything that she is is looking for in a man in him.

Maura Anderson writing style come across clearly in this sweet read, a book you will romp through in no time at all and will most definitely leave you will a very pleased smile on your face.

Photographer Lara Saunders has a gift, ever since she was a child – when she was saved from near drowning by the ghost of a lighthouse keeper; she has ever since been able to see ghost. Since then she has dedicated her life to documenting the history of lighthouses all over the country.

In doing the last project for her book – Lara comes to Point Loma in San Diego to complete said project. Her contact for the visit to the local area is Cody, owner of Del Fantasma.

When she eventually arrives in Point Loma she is introduced to Cody's friend – Matthew Martinez, who was going to be showing her around the lighthouse. Her first meeting with Matthew brings out feeling in her that she hasn't felt in a long time, but aware of her secret, she's timid of whether to act on the attraction.

Matthew Martinez, resident of Point Loma and lone coyote, has his own share of secrets that he feels has hampered him in being with anyone. Meeting Lara does not let him only have hope of a possibility of a union with Lara, but his coyote approves of her and wants to claim her the first chance he gets.

Things have a way of resolving themselves when you least expect it, as Lara and Matthew fines out, however with secrets on both side – they both know that in order to be together they must bear all.

Maura Anderson, tension filled first novel is a wonderful read. TEXAS TEA comes in as apart of the Del Fantasma series of book, and it is a worthy addition. With an easy plot to follow, protagonists you fall both in lust and in love with and sexual tension and love scenes that leaves you knee deep in steam, TEXAS TEA will have you reading this in one go.

Ms. Anderson's Del Fantasma: TEXAS TEA is a highly recommended and a must read.

Read a minimum of 9 books first published in 2009. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2009, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2008, and then published in the USA in 2009, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2009.

No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’

At least 5 titles must be fiction.

Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.

You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

Sandeflay is a parallel planet to earth, where the inhabitants fall into two categories: the creatures your nightmares are made of that come through the duct that forms between the two worlds, and the “Extinguishers” who deal with these creatures and close the ducts.

Collin, one of Sandeflay’s finest, has exceeded the time that an “Extinguisher” stays in service. Along with his pet tygren, he lives simply and is up most nights dealing with closing ducts and the monsters that come through them. Dedicated to the job, he has no time for the paraplegic that lives one floor below. When she literally falls into his arms, he takes on board more than he bargains for.

Miranda has always felt that she can deal with anything life throws at her, and painfully aware of her limitations, she keeps her hopes realistic. When she is helped by the handsome stranger from upstairs, she accepts it at face value and is determined not to get flustered by his display of interest.

Collin is instantly attracted to Miranda, and although she thinks it’s out of pity, he must convince her that what he feels is the real thing. When things go wrong in their building, he has no choice but to return to Sandeflay. Perilously injured and not sure of his survival, he begs the powers that be to bring Miranda to him.

From the moment Miranda arrives on Sandeflay, she knows she has limited time to have everything she has always desired with the man of her dreams. When unexpected miracles happen and new revelations are made, can Collin and Miranda’s love be third-time-lucky for two people who will do anything to be together?

SANDEFLAY is an absolutely stunning read by Ms. Mooney; her characters are endearing and her fictional world of Sandeflay is a place I would be delighted to visit.

I went through a whole range of emotions while reading this book including love for the characters and the world of Sandeflay, empathy for Miranda and her limitation along with the seemingly unwinnable situation between Collin and herself, respect for the sacrifices that Collin has made for his planet, his job and his pet, and heartbreak when the plot took some nail biting twists and turns.

The love that Collin and Miranda have for each other is so strong it is a thing of beauty. Ms. Mooney has surpassed all expectations with SANDEFLAY.

Roger Corso, a by-the-book cop and neat freak, comes home from vacation to find a dead body on his sofa. The find not only drops him into a murder enquiry, but also delves into a part of his personal life that he wants to keep private.

Sean Williams, brother to the victim, has become Rogers’s shadow. Insisting on helping with the investigation, he turns up at every location Roger investigates. When bodies start falling out of the woodwork, Sean suddenly finds himself needing an alibi.

When Sean’s interfering drops him into Roger’s playground, a choice has to be made: someone has to either flog him into submission, or put a leash on him.

I loved this book; A.M. Riley has penned a truly thrilling read. Roger and Sean are the classic chalk and cheese characters, but they work so well together you just cannot imagine them with anyone else.

THE ELEGANT CORPSE is a great introduction to the Leather men lifestyle and the BDSM scene; Roger is a jaded Dom of the eighties. After the loss of his partner, he wants to find that one person to give meaning to his life.

Sean is a submissive who has to be taught to accept what he feels and be more confident in his sexuality. Sean’s submission however is a pleasure to see unfolding and developing.

The BDSM scenes are intense and leave you wanting to find out more about them and the whole possessive nature of Dom. There are some very hilarious moments, with both Sean and Roger‘s partner, Mary, throwing in some very cryptic comments that will leave you cracking up.

Thursday, 25 December 2008

After moving into a new neighbourhood, and while enjoying the success of his business, Jesse finds life is only made better by is friendship with his next door neighbor’s teenage son. He keeps his personal life discreet and enjoys his time with Keith practicing basketball. When he is advised by his marketing department to expand into Europe, he jumps at the chance; however a trip which should have taken only a year turns into three, with Jesse returning a changed man - both emotionally and physically.

Fifteen year old Keith strikes up a friendship with his next door neighbour. He shares all his dreams and hopes with him and soon begins to idolize him. By the time he realizes that what he feels is more than a mere crush, he finds himself saying goodbye to him without getting the chance to tell the guy of his dreams that he loves him.

In the three years that Jesse has been away, Keith has had to deal with growing up and finding his place within his family. While Jesse is no longer the funny, carefree man that Keith knew, he is still the man he loves. But is Keith grown up enough to deal with Jesse’s issues, and is Jesse prepared to accept the fact Keith is no longer a kid, but a grown man?

CHASING WINTER is a tale of unrequited love realized. The things you least expect are the things you appreciate more just for having them, and with Jesse and Keith this could not be clearer.

Jesse is a warm, passionate personality with enough common sense to accept Keith as he grows and literally changes before his eyes. Although he is older, he is not necessarily wiser, and he shows this and becomes stronger for it.

While Keith has some strong aggression issues, he quickly realizes the important things in life and what is truly at stake if he continues down that path. Keith’s character takes on a lot of challenges for such a young man. After hearing about his life and attitude during the three years without Jesse, it is hard pressed to like him, however you fall right back in love when he finds the strength to forgive and takes an injured man by the hand and make him his own.

Rowan Mcbride has created a special love story that has evolved from hero worship to love. Jesse and Keith are each other’s dream fantasies come through.

After a harrowing day at the mall with her son, Heidi Gentry comes home to not only the loneliness of a home where she is barely making ends meet but also to the fact that the one person whom she could tell everything is no longer available to her and all by her own choice.

Rick is back home and he hasn't let anyone besides his family know. The one person who has been on his mind ever since they started corresponding, and even after she cut off communication with him, is Heidi. She’s the best friend of his sister and the girl whom he would like to spend more time with. Because he didn’t let Heidi know about the important things and event in his life – he may have lost her.

With Christmas approaching, he has one shot to not only make it right but get the girl as well. But will Father Christmas give him his heart desire for Christmas?

This is a seasonal story with all the pain of a not realized dream and the joy of making up. Heidi has had her fair share of trauma to last her a lifetime and has gotten to a stage where she takes one day at a time with what little she has. Rick is the hero back home and facing his own fair share of secrets – but some secrets are meant to be told and the sooner the better.

YOU’RE ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS is a feel good story, that will leave you with a smile on your face.

Wednesday, 24 December 2008

It's that time of the year again when all over the net blogger end the year with their final project and tidy up all the year long list that they have been compiling. Here at Erotic Horizon it is no different. Along with some of the ladies from the Purville Group - On the Good Read Library - the list of the covers that stand out for us are listed below.

"This cover and book threw a few of us into some unknown territory and some of us never looked back. The sex is way hot but a bit slow in places for me ... I tend to like it a bit faster but with this story and the personal issues, it really did go at the pace that it needed to go".

"Both characters were well developed and come into their own. Michael definitely turns into a hero you can stand behind, and I found myself rooting for their love to grow and develop into something quite beautiful. I wasn't disappointed".

Taking Work Home is the second in the Lord And Master series and the cover says it all. Where Stephen was the total alpha in the first book, in this second book Mark comes into his own and he is the one that now supports Stephen in every way possible - he even surprised me a time or two. This cover depict the growth of a boy into a man and he's comfortable with it.

In a year filled with more erotic covers than you can shake a stick at, AKM Miles - cover of Brackets was not only a total change but it suited the story line in such a way that I had to keep looking at the cover the more I read the book. There's a little bit of fantasy along with a huge dose of reality in this book, and it works well.

Feathers on the Floor, is a book i had the opportunity to read a few months prior to it's release. A story full of much trauma and unspeakable soul searching, a wonderful tale of the sacrifices we make for our children and above all a book full of hope and realising second chance when it stares you in the face.

"Be With Me was touching and sweet, but it was also a really good mystery with a great plot, as well as a very steamy romance. To be honest, I was surprised that the sex didn’t start much earlier in the book. I was probably more than halfway through before the really hot stuff started. This is an attention grabbing Romantica book, and a great introduction to ménage books if you haven’t read one before. I highly recommend it".

"I loved this book. It was so romantic!!! I think this might be the most romantic m/m erotica I have ever read :) Others here have already given this book great reviews, so I'll just say that this really did have me in tears a number of times... So good!!!!!!"

We are all looking forward to the New Year and more fantastic reads, and even reading the books of 2008 that we haven't gotten to as yet. Join us and let us know of your Covers that suited the story within to a T.